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The former commanding officer of Quanticoís Security Battalion was relieved after he accidentally discharged a handgun inside his office, sources with knowledge of the incident said.

Col. Daren Margolin was removed from his post Friday by Maj. Gen. Juan Ayala, head of Marine Corps Installations Command, who cited a loss of confidence in Margolinís ability to command. Officials said the relief was the result of an incident involving a personal weapon earlier this month. Margolin has also been charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice in relation to the incident, officials said, but those charges were not made public.

Margolin accidentally shot his M9 handgun into the floor of his office, said a Marine source who knows the 24-year officer.

A Marine Corps official with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the relief confirmed that Margolinís relief was the result of a negligent discharge in his office, but had no other details about the incident.

Security Battalion oversees personal weapons registration and enforcement of the weapons order for Quantico, which prohibits personnel from carrying or storing personal weapons on base, with few exceptions.

Following a series of deadly incidents involving firearms aboard bases within the National Capitol Region this year, Ayala said Friday he is conducting comprehensive review of enforcement and accountability regarding installation weapons policies.

Margolin did not respond to requests for comment on the incident or his relief.